Memory books

[Linda/NE]

Do any of you put together memory books for your students? I was thinking of trying to put together something the kids could help me do and make it interactive--kind of like a game on each page.

One thing we did at the beginning of the year was a Friendship flag which had all the children's name on it. I thought of recreating one on a page with the kids' pictures next to their names, and then have the children's names on slips of paper that the kids could match up.

I thought also about putting words to our favorite songs/fingerplays in there.

I'd love to hear any suggestions you have!!
Thanks!!

[MaryL]

I take the photos of the children that I've taken during the year and photocopy them for a "memory album". The pics aren't always the most clear this way....but you can still get the idea! It doesn't cost me anything since I already have the photos..and I photocopy them at work. (I kind of scrapbook the pages...add songs, etc. like you were talking about...label the pics, and then copy them.)

[darlene]

Hi Linda. Dd K teacher took a photo of each child at the beginning of the year and posted it on a page with their height and weight. She then kept a picture each month that each student had drawn (she kept each child a file folder). At the end of the year she took another photo and added their new height and weight. She laminated them all and coil bound them. It is great to look back on and see how her drawings developed thru the year! Even seeing the improvement in how she printed her name!
It must have been alot of work for the teacher....but I sure appreciated it. Years from now, I know dd will appreciate it too!

:)

[Fern]

I did a book for the first time last year, and the parents just loved it so am doing it again this year.
I take an individual picture of each child in the first few days of school of them in front of a growth chart and then again just before we are done. Amazing how much they grow in the year.
Also have samples of how they progress in printing their name through the year, pictures of them playing, etc. and then sheets like can you name the colors and other other things we work on through the year.

[Sandy Stevens]

On the last day of the school year, each child got a memory book. We had a page for each child in each one. They all made hand prints on their page and drew a picture. Then we included a few pages with the children's favorite songs, finger plays, outside activity and books. All the pages were copied, one for each chiold, and put together by a group of very helpful parents. We find that having the same book for each child was much better then giving each one a different one. Sandy

[Linda/NE]

Thanks for the great ideas!!! I'll be doing the last of this year's lesson plans before long so I can incorporate these ideas into the plans. :)